Former Stormer du Preez key for Sharks clash
Du Preez, who spent his youth career in Durban before moving to Cape Town to play for Western Province and the Stormers between 2014 and 2017, made the move back to Durban ahead of this season’s Super Rugby tournament.
Du Preez was the star of the show when Province beat the Sharks in last year’s Currie Cup Final and he will still have fresh knowledge of the inner workings of the Stormers ahead of Saturday’s clash.
“I do hope that he [Du Preez] will give us a couple of pointers that we probably wouldn’t have been able to pick up from the analysis we do,” said Sharks loose forward Philip van der Walt.
“I must be honest, we are so thorough in preparing and watching all their [Stormers] games, I doubt that there will be something that we haven’t seen, but that is the interesting part about rugby. You come up with new plans and new ideas and I think that is also where we might have slipped over the weekend [against the Bulls].
“The Bulls presented some plays and played a little bit different from what we expected from the previous games that they played.
“He [Du Preez] will definitely give us some insight, but you have to be wary of what they [Stormers] change.”
The spotlight will again be on the Sharks’ pack in the match against the Stormers. The Durban side were dominated up front against the Bulls in their 10-40 loss last week.
The Sharks were also outplayed in that facet of the game in last year’s Currie Cup Final against Province, which is still fresh in the Sharks’ memory bank.
“I think the only place where it is really on the mind is the fact that it was such a bitter pill to swallow. It was the Currie Cup Final, they were really good at scrum time, we struggled, and we want to rectify that.
“We know what is coming, especially after our performance against the Bulls pack. We as forwards know we didn’t match up to the Bulls forwards, so I think the Stormers will also feel that with the confidence they had in that Currie Cup Final they can come and scrum us and drive us and we just have to front up.
“It is pretty much an attitude thing and we are working on the technical side of it,” Van der Walt added.
For du Preez’s former team, head coach Robbie Fleck welcomes back a host of players from injury, and Sikhumbuzo Notshe is named for his first start of the season.
There are two changes to the backline with Craig Barry starting on the wing and Dillyn Leyds shifting to fullback, while a fit-again Dewaldt Duvenage replaces the injured Jano Vermaak at scrumhalf.
Utility back Johannes Engelbrecht also returns from injury to take his place among the replacements.
Stormers Head Coach Robbie Fleck said that after a much-needed bye, his team are determined to get back to winning ways on Saturday.
“The break was good for the squad from both a mental and physical perspective and we returned refreshed this week, ready to take on the second half of the campaign.
“It is great to have some players returning from injury and it has been a good week of training so we are looking forward to the weekend,” he said.
SHARKS
1. Juan Schoeman, 2. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 3. Thomas du Toit, 4. Ruan Botha (C), 5. Stephan Lewies, 6. Philip van der Walt, 7. Jean-Luc du Preez, 8. Daniel du Preez, 9. Cameron Wright, 10. Robert du Preez, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 13. Lukhanyo Am, 14. Sbu Nkosi, 15. Curwin Bosch.
Reserves: 16. Akker van der Merwe, 17. Mzamo Majola, 18. Ross Geldenhuys, 19. Tyler Paul, 20. Jacques Vermuelen, 21. Louis Schreuder, 22. Marius Louw, 23. Lwazi Mvovo.
STORMERS
1. Steven Kitshoff, 2. Ramone Samuels, 3. Wilco Louw, 4. Jan de Klerk, 5. Chris van Zyl, 6. Siya Kolisi (C), 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 9. Dewaldt Duvenhage, 10. Damian Willemse, 11. Raymond Rhule, 12. Damian de Allende, 13. EW Viljoen, 14. Craig Barry, 15. Dillyn Letds.
Reserves: 16. Scarra Ntubeni, 17. Jacobus Janse van Rensburg, 18. Carlu Sadie, 19. Kobus van Dyk, 20. Nizaam Carr, 21. Paul de Wet, 22. Sarel Marais, 23. Johannes Engelbrecht.
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Comments on RugbyPass
$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to comments